As outdoors-lovers, we spend a lot of time exploring, observing and just plain savoring time in Mother Nature's wild spaces. As caretakers and parents (or devoted/honorary aunts and uncles), we do our best to pass on that same love—whether it's a passion for biking, camping or enjoying a little trail time—to the young people in our lives. This collection of snuggly, sporty and even safety-conscious gear like helmets (don't worry, they're kid-approved) will support your quest to raise little adventurers.
The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids
"Once upon a time, a shy moose disappeared into a snowdrift." What happens next? Your little camper decides! The Mountaineers Books Campfire Stories Deck—For Kids! includes a collection of 25 character cards and 25 action cards—all with outdoor themes—that serve as prompts to make up a story. Take turns drawing one card from each set to get the creative juices flowing and then spin a tale all your own.
"Once upon a time, a shy moose disappeared into a snowdrift." What happens next? Your little camper decides! The Mountaineers Books Campfire Stories Deck—For Kids! includes a collection of 25 character cards and 25 action cards—all with outdoor themes—that serve as prompts to make up a story. Take turns drawing one card from each set to get the creative juices flowing and then spin a tale all your own.
Any puzzle offers a great outlet for quality family time over a shared task, but bestowing the Protect Our National Parks Collage 1,000-piece from Lantern Press uniquely incites reflection on past outdoor adventures: "Remember when we saw a grizzly in the Grand Tetons?" "Those cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains were incredible!" Plus, the whimsical imagery of our public lands may just inspire your family's next trip.
Any puzzle offers a great outlet for quality family time over a shared task, but bestowing the Protect Our National Parks Collage 1,000-piece from Lantern Press uniquely incites reflection on past outdoor adventures: "Remember when we saw a grizzly in the Grand Tetons?" "Those cascades in the Great Smoky Mountains were incredible!" Plus, the whimsical imagery of our public lands may just inspire your family's next trip.
Protect your little one's noggin with a bike helmet from Lazer. The adjustable unisize helmet has nine vents for air circulation, an insect net to keep pesky bugs at bay and a buckle at the cheek instead of the chin to avoid skin-pinching (and the tears that come with it). The helmet comes in a kids' version, too.
Protect your little one's noggin with a bike helmet from Lazer. The adjustable unisize helmet has nine vents for air circulation, an insect net to keep pesky bugs at bay and a buckle at the cheek instead of the chin to avoid skin-pinching (and the tears that come with it). The helmet comes in a kids' version, too.
If you want to instill confidence early, start kids off with the STRIDER 12 Sport. A balance bike ditches pedals for a more intuitive foot-driven system (think the Flintstones but with shoes). The company's best-selling 12 Sport allows toddlers as young as 18 months to scoot and glide on the bike by pushing off with their feet, giving them a little taste of freedom while laying down the foundation for solid biking skills. Gliding without pedals helps kids learn how to balance and steer and helps them transition more easily to pedaling.
"At under 7 pounds, this bike is so lightweight that my toddlers could steer and handle the bike with ease," says one of our editors. Both her sons learned on the same STRIDER, starting at age 2, first scooting and then later lifting up their feet and cruising. They easily moved on to pedals soon afterward and skipped training wheels entirely, she says. Features on the bike make it easy to grow with the child or pass it down between kids. For example, the seatpost and handlebars can be adjusted without tools so the bike can accommodate toddlers to kids about 5 years old. Another parent bonus: The EVA polymer tires remove worry about getting flats.
If you want to instill confidence early, start kids off with the STRIDER 12 Sport. A balance bike ditches pedals for a more intuitive foot-driven system (think the Flintstones but with shoes). The company's best-selling 12 Sport allows toddlers as young as 18 months to scoot and glide on the bike by pushing off with their feet, giving them a little taste of freedom while laying down the foundation for solid biking skills. Gliding without pedals helps kids learn how to balance and steer and helps them transition more easily to pedaling.
"At under 7 pounds, this bike is so lightweight that my toddlers could steer and handle the bike with ease," says one of our editors. Both her sons learned on the same STRIDER, starting at age 2, first scooting and then later lifting up their feet and cruising. They easily moved on to pedals soon afterward and skipped training wheels entirely, she says. Features on the bike make it easy to grow with the child or pass it down between kids. For example, the seatpost and handlebars can be adjusted without tools so the bike can accommodate toddlers to kids about 5 years old. Another parent bonus: The EVA polymer tires remove worry about getting flats.
The real gift here is the memories you'll make watching your little gain confidence navigating trails. Designed for 6- to 10-year-olds (or kiddos up to 80 lbs.), the Co-op Cycles REV 20 6-speed bike features all-terrain tires to absorb bumps for a smooth ride. Mechanical disc brakes ensure quick, responsive stops. An intuitive shifter makes it easy to switch gears.
The real gift here is the memories you'll make watching your little gain confidence navigating trails. Designed for 6- to 10-year-olds (or kiddos up to 80 lbs.), the Co-op Cycles REV 20 6-speed bike features all-terrain tires to absorb bumps for a smooth ride. Mechanical disc brakes ensure quick, responsive stops. An intuitive shifter makes it easy to switch gears.
A warm kiddo is a happy kiddo. This merino wool layer by REI Co-op will keep your youngster toasty on hikes, park hangouts and even at school (if your child runs cold). Flat seams help avoid chafing, underarm gussets provide room to move and the wool is soft for itch-free comfort.
A warm kiddo is a happy kiddo. This merino wool layer by REI Co-op will keep your youngster toasty on hikes, park hangouts and even at school (if your child runs cold). Flat seams help avoid chafing, underarm gussets provide room to move and the wool is soft for itch-free comfort.
REI Adventure Trip
All the gear on this list provides a chance to make a memory—watching your little ride their bike without training wheels for the first time or witnessing them discover a new-to-them flower on a trail. To create more opportunities for memory-making, consider taking your family on an REI Adventure trip. Or, if you're an aunt, uncle or family friend, give an REI gift card that your recipient can spend toward the adventure. Family-friendly trips include guided treks in Shenandoah National Park, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains and more. The best part: These multi-day excursions require very little prep and planning from attendees (aka busy parents).
Snow-day sledding excursions, chilly study hall rooms or just lazy Saturday-morning pancake-eating: The Trailsmith fleece jacket from REI Co-op is ready for it all thanks to breathable, fast-drying and ultrasnuggly Polartec® Micro Series fleece. Retro zipper pulls (authentic to the design's original 1992 release) add a dash of panache. With adult men's and women's versions available too, the whole family can kick it old-school.
Snow-day sledding excursions, chilly study hall rooms or just lazy Saturday-morning pancake-eating: The Trailsmith fleece jacket from REI Co-op is ready for it all thanks to breathable, fast-drying and ultrasnuggly Polartec® Micro Series fleece. Retro zipper pulls (authentic to the design's original 1992 release) add a dash of panache. With adult men's and women's versions available too, the whole family can kick it old-school.
At some point, your child will start carrying their own weight. When that day blessedly arrives, consider the REI Co-op Tarn 40 for the job. The main packbag can swallow a sleep system, layers, water bottles and even a stuffed friend who wants to join the adventure, while a toplid pouch and stuff-it pocket help kids stay organized. It has a padded hipbelt and back panel that are adjustable like technical adults' packs, plus it's made with a durable recycled ripstop nylon that will shrug off moisture.
At some point, your child will start carrying their own weight. When that day blessedly arrives, consider the REI Co-op Tarn 40 for the job. The main packbag can swallow a sleep system, layers, water bottles and even a stuffed friend who wants to join the adventure, while a toplid pouch and stuff-it pocket help kids stay organized. It has a padded hipbelt and back panel that are adjustable like technical adults' packs, plus it's made with a durable recycled ripstop nylon that will shrug off moisture.
Once your little is ready to upgrade their pack to one with more storage and space, consider the Osprey Ace 50. This load hauler delivers with key comfort-enhancing features like a frame that effectively transfers the load from the harness to the hipbelt; a springy, mesh back panel that allows plenty of airflow; and up to 5 inches of torso adjustability to ensure a Goldilocks-approved "just right" fit. This hauler also houses 50 liters of gear-carrying capacity and hipbelt pockets for easy snack access.
Once your little is ready to upgrade their pack to one with more storage and space, consider the Osprey Ace 50. This load hauler delivers with key comfort-enhancing features like a frame that effectively transfers the load from the harness to the hipbelt; a springy, mesh back panel that allows plenty of airflow; and up to 5 inches of torso adjustability to ensure a Goldilocks-approved "just right" fit. This hauler also houses 50 liters of gear-carrying capacity and hipbelt pockets for easy snack access.
Keeping track of your kid's sunglasses is about as hard as remembering the whereabouts of their left sock, which means there's no way you're splurging on expensive pint-size sunny-Gs—even if it is the holidays. And yet, you also know the importance of protecting their little peepers now. It's a conundrum, but thankfully, one solved by the folks at Knockaround. The brand's polarized kids' shades ring up at just $22 but block an impressive 99-100% of UV rays and reduce visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement.
Keeping track of your kid's sunglasses is about as hard as remembering the whereabouts of their left sock, which means there's no way you're splurging on expensive pint-size sunny-Gs—even if it is the holidays. And yet, you also know the importance of protecting their little peepers now. It's a conundrum, but thankfully, one solved by the folks at Knockaround. The brand's polarized kids' shades ring up at just $22 but block an impressive 99-100% of UV rays and reduce visible glare from water, snow, sand and pavement.
As cute as it is warm, this beanie from Patagonia will keep your babe or toddler toasty on your next chilly outing. The hat (which features some darn cute animal ears) is made from polyester fleece that's 30% recycled to help keep waste out of landfills. And the double-layer fabric headband is soft, not scratchy.
As cute as it is warm, this beanie from Patagonia will keep your babe or toddler toasty on your next chilly outing. The hat (which features some darn cute animal ears) is made from polyester fleece that's 30% recycled to help keep waste out of landfills. And the double-layer fabric headband is soft, not scratchy.
The bright yellow (read: easy to find), spiral-bound Rite in the Rain Outdoor Journal is the perfect place for your budding ecologist to record all of their observations about the natural world. Whether they write in pencil or pen, their tallies of goldfinches or sketches of aspen trees will hold steady without bleeding on the 32 sheets (64 pages) of all-weather paper, no matter the conditions—perhaps even a near-hurricane, as one reviewer whose journal survived a serious soaking will attest.
The bright yellow (read: easy to find), spiral-bound Rite in the Rain Outdoor Journal is the perfect place for your budding ecologist to record all of their observations about the natural world. Whether they write in pencil or pen, their tallies of goldfinches or sketches of aspen trees will hold steady without bleeding on the 32 sheets (64 pages) of all-weather paper, no matter the conditions—perhaps even a near-hurricane, as one reviewer whose journal survived a serious soaking will attest.
Parents will love the ReEmber slip-ons from Teva for their convenience—there are no laces for little fingers to tie. (Simply push down the backing of the ReEmber to make it a fully slip-on shoe.) Kids, meanwhile, will enjoy the comfort and cool colors. Importantly, the kicks have an antimicrobial treatment that minimizes stinky feet—a feature everyone will appreciate.
Parents will love the ReEmber slip-ons from Teva for their convenience—there are no laces for little fingers to tie. (Simply push down the backing of the ReEmber to make it a fully slip-on shoe.) Kids, meanwhile, will enjoy the comfort and cool colors. Importantly, the kicks have an antimicrobial treatment that minimizes stinky feet—a feature everyone will appreciate.
Chilly, windy days are no match for the insulated REI Co-op 650 down jacket. The all-season coat features a water-resistant and windproof shell that is made with 100% recycled polyester and a durable water resistant (DWR) coating. A reflective logo keeps kids visible on overcast or dark days outside. And good news for the littlest winter lovers: It's also available in an infant/toddler version.
Chilly, windy days are no match for the insulated REI Co-op 650 down jacket. The all-season coat features a water-resistant and windproof shell that is made with 100% recycled polyester and a durable water resistant (DWR) coating. A reflective logo keeps kids visible on overcast or dark days outside. And good news for the littlest winter lovers: It's also available in an infant/toddler version.
Children have two switches: On and Off. Enable that power up with the Snow Bank 4.0 boots from Merrell, which are equipped with 200 grams of Thinsulate™ synthetic insulation and are temperature rated all the way to -25°F. When combined with the waterproof leather upper and a warm fleece lining on the interior, these boots are the cozy foot protectors you've been searching for. Need further proof that Merrell knows kids' feet? Instead of traditional shoelaces, the brand opted for bungee closures that cinch with a toggle. Not only can kiddos manage them on their own, but they can also do it while wearing mittens.
Children have two switches: On and Off. Enable that power up with the Snow Bank 4.0 boots from Merrell, which are equipped with 200 grams of Thinsulate™ synthetic insulation and are temperature rated all the way to -25°F. When combined with the waterproof leather upper and a warm fleece lining on the interior, these boots are the cozy foot protectors you've been searching for. Need further proof that Merrell knows kids' feet? Instead of traditional shoelaces, the brand opted for bungee closures that cinch with a toggle. Not only can kiddos manage them on their own, but they can also do it while wearing mittens.
Cold hands will ruin any outdoor adventure. Prolong yours by adorning your kiddo in these waterproof, windproof gloves from REI Co-op. With synthetic insulation, they're like sleeping bags for little fingers. A polyester liner wicks sweat away from skin, and a longer cuff can tuck under a sleeve or cinch on top to help keep snow out. Nice: The poly liner contains bluesign®-approved materials.
Cold hands will ruin any outdoor adventure. Prolong yours by adorning your kiddo in these waterproof, windproof gloves from REI Co-op. With synthetic insulation, they're like sleeping bags for little fingers. A polyester liner wicks sweat away from skin, and a longer cuff can tuck under a sleeve or cinch on top to help keep snow out. Nice: The poly liner contains bluesign®-approved materials.
Spillproof water bottles rival the wheel when it comes to ingenious inventions. Not only does this one from CamelBak prevent your toddler from accidentally dumping grape juice in the tent, but it also satisfies the pickiest of children with a multitude of design options. The flip-top bite valve is easy to use, and the 14-ounce bottle also has a handle perfect for little fingers. And praise be: The Eddy+ is top-shelf safe in the dishwasher.
Spillproof water bottles rival the wheel when it comes to ingenious inventions. Not only does this one from CamelBak prevent your toddler from accidentally dumping grape juice in the tent, but it also satisfies the pickiest of children with a multitude of design options. The flip-top bite valve is easy to use, and the 14-ounce bottle also has a handle perfect for little fingers. And praise be: The Eddy+ is top-shelf safe in the dishwasher.
If you've ever heard your child moan, "But there isn't anything to do!" while hanging out at camp, then this portable bocce set from Outside Inside may be the gift for you. At a mere 12 ounces, the set is light enough to justify bringing on a day hike and small enough to consider for backpacking (it's the size of a paperback book). Better yet? Bocce is a quick game to learn.
If you've ever heard your child moan, "But there isn't anything to do!" while hanging out at camp, then this portable bocce set from Outside Inside may be the gift for you. At a mere 12 ounces, the set is light enough to justify bringing on a day hike and small enough to consider for backpacking (it's the size of a paperback book). Better yet? Bocce is a quick game to learn.
Test your family's knowledge of national parks with this trivia set from Clarkson Potter. With nearly 400 questions covering everything from geography and history to wildlife and botany, this game will keep older kids (ages 7+) entertained for hours. It's great for camping trips as well as road trips or cozy nights at home.
Test your family's knowledge of national parks with this trivia set from Clarkson Potter. With nearly 400 questions covering everything from geography and history to wildlife and botany, this game will keep older kids (ages 7+) entertained for hours. It's great for camping trips as well as road trips or cozy nights at home.
It doesn't matter if your kids are 3 or 13, kite flying is always fun and an easy way to soak in some outdoor time with your loved ones. We like the ultralight Pocket Flyer from Prism Designs for its simple design: A single line makes it easily navigable and the unique splittail means the kite can handle rougher winds. It weighs less than 4 ounces too, so your child can carry it to the park all by herself.
It doesn't matter if your kids are 3 or 13, kite flying is always fun and an easy way to soak in some outdoor time with your loved ones. We like the ultralight Pocket Flyer from Prism Designs for its simple design: A single line makes it easily navigable and the unique splittail means the kite can handle rougher winds. It weighs less than 4 ounces too, so your child can carry it to the park all by herself.
Need more inspiration? Check out our Best Gifts for Less Than $50 , Best Gifts for Runners , Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Dogs (and Their Humans) , Best Gifts for Campers , Best Gifts for Skiers , Best Gifts for Hikers and Best Gifts for Snowboarders .
